Sass Jordan, Canadian Rock Icon and Mentor to Taylor Hawkins, Dies at 65
Canadian rock singer and bassist Sass Jordan has died at age 65. Born in England and raised in Montreal, she achieved major success in the late 1980s and early 1990s with hits like 'Make You a Believer.' She won a Juno Award in 1989, toured with major acts including Aerosmith and AC/DC, and mentored future Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins. Jordan served as a judge on all six seasons of 'Canadian Idol' and continued recording blues albums into 2022. She died on October 2, 2026, surrounded by family, with no cause of death disclosed.
Key points
- Sass Jordan died on October 2, 2026, at age 65, surrounded by family; cause of death undisclosed.
- Born Sarah Jordan in Birmingham, England, in 1960, she moved to Montreal at age three and began her career in local bands.
- Her 1988 debut 'Tell Somebody' led to a 1989 Juno Award for Most Promising Female Vocalist.
- Her 1992 album 'Racine' produced hits including 'Make You a Believer,' which reached number 11 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.
- She toured with Aerosmith, AC/DC, Van Halen, and the Rolling Stones, and recorded a duet with Joe Cocker for 'The Bodyguard' soundtrack.
- Taylor Hawkins, then 22, joined her touring band and credited her with teaching him the realities of life on the road.
Background
Sass Jordan emerged from Montreal's rock scene in the late 1980s, establishing herself as a distinctive voice blending hard rock, blues, and soul. Her career spanned nearly four decades, with consistent activity in recording and touring. She was a prominent figure in Canadian music, serving as a judge on 'Canadian Idol' and mentoring younger musicians. Her 1994 album 'Rats' featured Taylor Hawkins on drums, and she later joined Foo Fighters onstage in Toronto in 2015. In 2026, she announced she was stepping away from performances due to a serious medical condition.
How outlets are covering it
GuitarPlayer reported Jordan's age as 63 and detailed her career milestones, including her 1992 Billboard recognition and her 2023 live album. CTV News and That Eric Alper reported her age as 65, noting a correction in CTV's initial report. CTV News highlighted tributes from industry peers, including Geoff Kulawick of Stony Plains Records and Canadian producer Derek Downham, who emphasized her impact on women in rock and her emotional connection with fans. GuitarPlayer focused on her mentorship of Taylor Hawkins and her later blues recordings. All sources confirmed her death on October 2, 2026, and that no cause of death was disclosed.
Why it matters
Sass Jordan's death marks the end of a significant chapter in Canadian rock history. Her career bridged the 1980s and 1990s, influencing a generation of musicians, including Taylor Hawkins. Her success as a female rock artist in a male-dominated genre paved the way for others, and her long tenure as a judge on 'Canadian Idol' shaped the careers of aspiring singers. Her continued recording into the 2020s demonstrated enduring relevance in the blues and rock scenes.
What to watch
No immediate next steps are indicated. Tributes and memorials are expected from the music community. Her estate and family have not announced any further details regarding her medical condition or cause of death.
- Sass Jordan, rock singer and bass guitarist, dies at 63 GuitarPlayer.com
- Montreal-raised Juno-award-winning singer Sass Jordan dies at 65 CTV News
- Sass Jordan, Rock Star and Canadian Idol Judge, Dies at 63 People.com
- Sass Jordan, Montreal Rocker Behind ‘Racine’ and “Make You a Believer,” Dies at 65 That Eric Alper
- Rock icon whose career spanned 4 decades dies at 63: ‘An inimitable force of nature’ PennLive.com
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